Bahasa Indonesia Headlines ­ Wednesday 4 July 2001

1. Today Timor Gap Basic Agreement Signed 
2. United States To Grant Timor Lorosae US$25 million 
3. NUP Important for Timor Lorosae Unity 
4. Three Transitional Cabinet Ministers To Quit on 15 July

1. Today Timor Gap Basic Agreement Signed (Suara Timor Lorosae, front page headline)

An agreement stipulating the basic principles with regard to the exploration and exploitation of oil and gas resources in the Timor Sea will be signed today. The sharing ratio of the oil and gas revenue will be 90 per cent for Timor Lorosae and 10 per cent for Australia.

The rules regarding the technical aspects of the agreement will be discussed in Cabinet meetings between today and Thursday.

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer is expected to be in Dili tomorrow.

Minister for Political Affairs and the Timor Sea, Mr Peter Galbraith confirmed that the final aspects of the agreement were being finalized.

“We are close to agreement and we are optimistic that matters [between Australia and Timor Lorosae] could be settled within this week,” said Peter Galbraith.

Peter Galbraith and Minister of the Economy Mari Alkatari, however, refused to give further details of the Timor Gap agreement.

2. United States To Grant Timor Lorosae US$25 million (Suara Timor Lorosae, front page second lead)

The US Congress is currently studying a draft proposal for $25 million to be given in aid for Timor Lorosae and a $1-million proposal for East Timorese students to study in America.

This was made known to reporters at a reception last night for US Congressman Tony Hall. The dinner was attended by UN Transitional Administrator Sergio Vieira de Mello, former CNRT President Xanana Gusmao , Foreign Minister Jose Ramos-Horta, and several Transitional Cabinet members. Also present was FDTL Commander Brigadier-General Taur Matan Ruak.

Congressman Hall was honored at the reception by Ramos-Horta who said he had been campaigning actively for Timor Lorosae for the past 23 years before entering the US Congress.

“Because of this we thank Congressman Hall for all his help to Timor Lorosae,” said Ramos-Horta.

Ramos-Horta added that Congressman Hall was an important ally for Timor Lorosae in the American Congress.

In turn, Congressman Hall praised Ramos-Horta for not giving up in the struggle for Timor Lorosae’s freedom.

Congressman Hall on return to the United States will report to Congress on the progress made by the UN and other agencies in Timor Lorosae in order to justify further aid for the country.

The US Congressman and his delegation are on a four-day visit to the country. They leave for Jakarta tomorrow.

3. NUP Important for Timor Lorosae Unity (Suara Timor Lorosae, front page third lead)

President of the Democratic Party (PD) Fernando Lasama de Araujo said the National Unity Pact (NUP) was a step in the right direction towards ensuring the development of a unity strategy for the country’s political development.

According to Fernando, the NUP would ensure mutual respect for all parties and thus ensure that the political parties would be free to carry out their activities among the people.

“If the Unity Pact is adhered to, there will be no problems in national stability,” he said.

Fernando said his party acknowledged the existence of other parties and their ideologies.

“If PD wins the majority of seats in the 30 August election, we will work with other parties for the sake of national unity,” he said.

He said PD members had always supported the NUP for the promotion of peace and stability.

4. Three Transitional Cabinet Ministers To Quit on 15 July (Timor Post, front page third lead)

Based on the political calender, those Transitional Cabinet ministers who are involved in politics would leave the Transitional Administration on 15 July.

This was stated yesterday by National Council member Clementino dos Reis Amaral. Clementino Amaral is also the head of the Kota Party.

The three Cabinet members, said Clementino Amaral, are Minister for the Economy Mari Alkatari; Infrastructure Minister Joao Viegas Carrascalao and Minister for Internal Affairs Ana Pessoa.

“Their positions will be filled temporarily by others ­ either by a Timorese or foreigners,” said Clementino Amaral.

He said before the National Council was dissolved on 15 July, its members would try to pass a motion forbidding UNTAET/ETTA to implement new regulations, until the new Constituent Assembly was formed.

Meanwhile former CNRT President Xanana Gusmao said he had full confidence that UN Transitional Administrator Sergio Vieira de Mello would not push through any new regulations in the interim period between 15 July to 30 August, before the Constituent Assembly is formed.

“I have full confidence in Sergio and I am certain he will not do anything which goes against the wishes of the Timorese people,” Xanana told reporters.

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